Once again the rhetoric concerning so called “anchor babies” is in the headlines, on talk-radio programs (traditional and internet) and social media.
Being a native of the great State of Texas I have heard so many names for those crossing illegally into the US of A, especially across the Mexico — USA border. Just a few samples: Border Hopper, Wetback, River Swimmer, Illegal Immigrant, Illegal Alien and words I shall not repeat.
One does not need to have Ph.D. behind your last name to understand why these people are coming to the 
USA. They are coming for the same reasons our ancestors poured into this land. Do these sound familiar? To provide a better life for their families. To give their children the chance to be something better than themselves.
Before going any further, I must be upfront and say I believe anyone who crosses our borders illegally are illegal aliens… period, exclamation point! Since this land has become “our country” we have (or should have) control on who comes across our borders and who can become a citizen and how to become a citizen.
Now – “Anchor babies.”
The first sentence of Section 1 in the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution states that “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
When the U.S. born children of immigrants — those here with a green card or a specialized temporary work visa, those who arrived as refugees or, yes, those who are here illegally — become automatic citizens, they and their families also become part of the community.
Whether one agrees with this clause does not matter. It is the law and just like every law it is abused. Just like so many other laws people can find a way to make it work for them.
Smarter people than me have contemplated, argued and cursed this law since it was enacted. But what have they done about it. Nada, nothing, zilch.
Bottom line: Until our citizens force Congress and the President to do something to eliminate this law, babies given birth in this country by illegal aliens become our new citizens at birth, with all the rights and benefits that those of us born of legal US citizens have.
I repeat, like it or not, these children (with no control on being born or where being born) are citizens of the United States of America.
Oh, one more thing… most people I know say they support and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Do you?
Bill Pickle is a regular columnist for The Standard and host of In the Pickle Barrel weekdays.
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